Dongle Manual v2
Notice
The PIC does NOT come pre-programmed from Microchip or any supplier. If you do not have a programmer then please see the PIC Programming Wiki page for a list of DLA users who can program the PIC for you. If you are programming the PIC yourself, download the hex firmware file from the Wiki and program the PIC chip using the appropriate steps for your programmer setup. Check out this post for a helpful pdf on PIC programming. Some helpful tips on PIC programming can also be found on this You Tube video.
If you do not have a case with pre-cut holes, you will need to cut two square holes and drill two holes for the LED's. Use a 9/64 inch drill bit to make the holes for the LED's and use the following templates for making the square holes.
Introduction
Thank you for making the decision to build the Lynx DMX Dongle. I believe this decision will be one you will be very happy with. The Lynx is my attempt to design the best DMX dongle I could, at the lowest price I could, and make it available for the do-it-yourselfers like you. The goals for the dongle were professional looks and operation, cost effectiveness and ease of assembly for even a novice builder.
WARNING! This device has been designed for personal use as a means of education and entertainment. As such it is not rated, tested, or approved for use in commercial environments and such use is forbidden by the designer. Improper use of this equipment could be hazardous to life and property and the suitability of use is your responsibility. I assume no responsibility in the use or operation of this equipment or for the accuracy of any information made on part of itself. This device has been designed for my use and my use only. This is simply an explanation of how I built my own personal dimmers for informational purposes. I make no warranties written or otherwise to it. It should be considered an experimental device with possible unknown characteristics.
Before we start assembly of the Lynx DMX Dongle, use the Mouser Direct link on the Equipment Wiki page to verify you have the correct parts and quantity of parts before we go any further. Please use static electricity precautions in the handling of these parts (ground straps, etc.). If you are not familiar with them please research on the Internet prior to handling them. You can damage your parts with improper handling!
Ensure you are using the correct Lynx DMX dongle PCB for this assembly manual.
Preparing to Build
The next thing we want is to make sure you are up to speed on soldering and electrostatic protection of the components in your kit. If you are not an experienced printed circuit builder, visit the Curious Inventor website and review the How to Solder guides just below the video. The video on soldering correctly at the top of the page is extremely good to watch even if you are experienced at soldering.
Another issue you must be aware of is that some electronic components can be damaged easily by electrostatic charges that can build up in you or your equipment. We have all been shocked by walking on carpet and grabbing a doorknob. This is electrostatic charge in action. It takes much less than this to hurt some of the parts. If you are unfamiliar with procedures to protect from this, please use the Internet to research it before opening your parts up. You can damage your parts with improper handling!
You will need a few tools build the Lynx DMX dongle. You will need a good soldering iron. I cannot stress enough that a good soldering iron makes a big difference in these projects. The little 15w cheap irons are more apt to hurt your parts by taking too long to get the parts up to soldering temperature than a good iron which can bring it up to temp very fast. Remember, damage is a factor more in how long you keep the part hot than it is how hot you get it (within reasonable soldering temperatures). A good soldering iron is reasonable: You can purchase one for $30 to $60. Most any product that calls itself a soldering station that includes a temperature control separate from the iron itself will more than likely be fine, but make sure it is rated for more than 15 watts. I use a cheap Weller like this: Weller Soldering Station. It works fine and is very inexpensive. I even saw this model on sale at Sears. Radio Shack has a very nice looking digital model on sale but be careful: it does not allow you to replace the tip. Tips are a part that wear out and need to replace them from time to time. While we are on the topic of tips, get some. I recommend you get the smaller chisel shape as this works very well for all-around board building.
You need solder, so buy some. I recommend .032 size as the larger sizes tend to cause you to put too much solder on. How much? Go ahead and get a 1 lb spool as it’s cheaper in large volume and you will go through it faster than you think. Make sure you are getting rosin core for electronics; they make some solder for plumbing that has acid as the core and this is a bad mistake to make.
You need some work area to work with good lighting. Do not attempt to solder circuit boards in poorly lighted areas. If you wear reading glasses, go get them: you will want them I promise you. I also recommend getting a helping hands tool similar to this: Helping Hands Tool.
PCB Assembly
If this is your first build we have laid out the order for soldering the components to the board in a step by step procedure for you to follow. Starting with a bare Lynx DMX dongle PCB, components are outlined in red as they are soldered to the board. Ensure that you orient the parts as shown on the PCB and in the assembly pictures.
I know you are excited at this point but don't rush and have fun!!!
You can print out the manual to use during assembly using this file: Lynx DMX Dongle v2.0 Assembly Manual
- Install one 330 ohm resistor (orange, orange, brown)
- Install one 1k ohm resistor (brown, black, red)
- Install one 4.7k ohm resistor (yellow, violet, red)
- Install two 470 ohm resistors (yellow, violet, brown)
- Install two 100 ohm resistors (brown, black, brown)
- Install two 0.1uf capacitors (small yellow ball)
- Install two 8 pin sockets aligning so the notches on the sockets match those on the board
- Install one 28 pin socket aligning so the notch on the socket matches the notch on the board
- Install one clock chip (shiny square) aligning the small dot/symbol with the white dot on the PCB
- Install one DC to DC isolated power supply aligning the small dot/symbol with the white dot on the PCB
- Install one green LED observing polarity (long lead is positive) by making a 90 degree bend 1/4 inch from the base of the LED and then mounting the LED 1/4 inch above the PCB
- Note: For dongle cases purchased through coop's, the center of the hole for the LED is positioned 1/4 inch above the surface of the PCB
- Install one red LED observing polarity (long lead is positive) by making a 90 degree bend 1/4 inch from the base of the LED and then mounting the LED 1/4 inch above the PCB
- Note: For dongle cases purchased through coop's, the center of the hole for the LED is positioned 1/4 inch above the surface of the PCB
- Install one 2 pin header
- Install one 22uf capacitor observing polarity (long lead is positive)
- Install one MOSFET transistor aligning the metal side with the silk screen and faces to the right of the PCB
- Install one USB module by soldering directly to the PCB and ensuring that the module is flat against the board (Do not install a socket!!!)
- Install one RJ45 jack ensuring that it is flat against the board
- Install one RS485 chip in the left 8 pin socket aligning the notch on the chip with the notch on the socket being careful not to damage the pins
- Install one optocoupler chip in the right 8 pin socket aligning the notch on the chip with the notch on the socket being careful not to damage the pins
- Place the jumper on just one pin of the test header
- Install the programmed PIC in the 28 pin socket aligning the notch on the chip with the notch on the socket being careful not to damage the pins
- Using four screws mount the PCB in the case aligning the LED’s with the holes in the case
- Using four screws attach the top of the case
- Screw the top on and flip the case over to the smooth side and attach the sticker Download here.
If this was your first build congratulations! You now have a Lynx DMX dongle.
If this was not your first Lynx DMX dongle congratulations! You now have access to control another 512 channels.
- Note: Do not plug in the dongle yet!
Initial Setup
Okay, now that you have a Lynx DMX dongle we need to set it up for use.
The first thing we need to do is download the appropriate drivers. For 32 or 64 bit Windows (except CE) download http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/CDM/CDM20812.zip. If you are using a different operating system go to the FTDI VCP Drivers download page to download the appropriate driver.
The zip file that you downloaded does not have a setup file to automatically install the drivers on your computer. You will need to extract or copy the files in the zip file to a folder location on your hard drive. Here is an example file location where you could place the driver files:
- D:\Christmas Lights\LYNX Equipment\DMX Dongle v2.0\Drivers
Now plug the dongle into a USB port on your computer using a USB cable (red light should come on), it should be found and installed as a comm port. Take note of the comm port that was assigned since you will need this in your sequencing software. If it did not automatically install the drivers it should give you the option to browse to the location where you extracted the zip file. Follow the on screen prompts to finish installing the drivers.
Several of the members at DLA use a wonderful and free sequencing software called Vixen. The rest of the Lynx DMX dongle procedures will reference this software. If you have not installed Vixen you can link to the Vixen website through the DLA Vixen Wiki to download the current version of Vixen.
Go into Vixen and open a new sequence. Set up using the ENTTEC DMX PRO plug-in and assign it to the comm port the dongle created. Set the comm speed to 115K and exit the plug-in setup. Bill's Lynx Dongle Setup Video gives an excellent tutorial for this step.
Now create some stuff and run it. You should have DMX coming out of the dongle. It’s that simple or so we hope.
The green light led will only come on when you start sending data from the computer. It does not flash on and off it barely twinkles depending on the data going out and can be hard to even see depending on the data you are sending. This is normal operation.
I truly hope you enjoy your Lynx DMX dongle.
